Filling-replenishing loom.



No. 805,497. PATENTED NOV. 28, 1905.

A. E. STAFFORD.

FILLING REPLENISHING LOOM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 29. 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Hill HUN IH'I ll T u W Mi w No. 805,497. PATENTED NOV. 28, 1905. A. E.STAFFORD.

. FILLING REPLENISHING LOOM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 29, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED E. STAFFORD, OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO DRAPERCOMPANY, OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORA- TION OF MAINE.

FlLLlNG-REPLENISHINGLOOM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 28, 1905.

Application filed May 29, 1905. serial No. 262,807-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED E. STAFFORD, a citizen of the United States,residing at Hopedale, in the county of Worcester and State ofMassachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Automatic FillingReplenishing Looms, of which the following description, in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, is a specificatiomlike characters on thedrawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to looms provided with means to replenishautomatically the running shuttle with a fresh supply of filling, as inthe Northrop type of loom, wherein the fresh filling-carriers are heldin reserve in a feeder or hopper at one side of the loom, fillingreplenishment being effected when the shuttle is boxed at the adjacentend of the lay, as in United States Patent to Northrop, No. 529,9A0, andothers of later date. If for any reason" the replenishing mechanism isoperated when the shuttle is in the opposite box, the transferredfilling-carrier is deposited in the empty shuttle-box, whence it maypass without causing any damage, or considerable damage may be caused byinterference with adjacent parts of the loom mechanism or with theincoming shuttle on the next pick. Entirely irrespective of the tendencyto cause damage it will be manifest that such operation of thereplenishing mechanism is wholly superfluous and that a fullfilling-carrier has been withdrawn from the feeder unnecessarily anddiminishing the reserve supply of filling therein.

My present invention has for its object the production of novel andexceedingly simple means to prevent the operation of the replenishingmechanism when the shuttle is in the wrong shuttle+box, and it isparticularly adapted to filling replenishing looms equipped with twofilling-detecting instrumentalities. In such looms means were formerlyprovided for causing a change in the operation of the take-up upondetection of filling failure at either side of the loom and to effectthe operation of the replenishing mechanism primarily through thedetecting instrumentality at the non-replenishing side of the loom. Thisarrangement required certain important adjustments of parts, lostmotion, orsome variation in the stroke of the two weft-hammers,

and in the latter case the two actuating-cams for the weft hammers weredifferent. In United States Patent No. 759,854, granted May 17, 1904:,to Benson a construction is shown whereby lost motion is obviated andthe use of like cams and cooperating parts for both of thefilling-detectors made possible, greatly simplifying the constructionand making the operation more positive and direct; but such constructionnecessitated the provision of means to prevent the operation of thereplenishing mechanism when the shuttle was lodged in the wrongshuttle-box, and accordingly the hunter on the lay adapted to engage amember or dog of the controlling means for the replenishing mechanismwas made movable with relation to the lay. The dog was moved into itsoperative position by or through detection of filling failure by eitherdetector; but if the shuttle was in the wrong box the hunter on the laywas moved into inoperative position, so that it could not cooperate withthe dog, and no operation of the replenishing mechanism took place untilthe shuttle was in the replenishing shuttle-box.

In accordance with my invention I secure the same result, butinadifferent and simpler manner, as I prevent the operative positioningof the member or dog referred to if the shuttle is not in thereplenishing shuttle-box. Herein this is effected by the attachment of adetent to the weft-hammer at the replenishing side of the loom tocooperate with the shuttlefeeler, which latter tends to move rearwardlyupon detection of filling failure at either side of the loom. Theweft-hammer at the replenishing side is so positioned, however, at theinstant the shuttle-feeler is tending to move rearwardly, the shuttlethen being in the non-replenishing box, that the detent engages theshuttle-feeler and prevents its operative rearward movement. The feelerin turn controls the operative positioning of the dog, as the latter canonly attain its operative position when the shuttle-feeler moves intoits own operative position. Consequently as 'the detent arrests theshuttle-feeler the latter prevents the dog from becoming operativeandreplenishment of filling cannot take place. The control of the dog, andhence of the action of the replenishing mechanism, by or through ashuttle-feeler is not of my invention, as the same is shown in numerouspatents-such, for instance, as No. 628,228, dated July 4, 1899.

The novel features of my invention will be fully described in thesubjoined specification and particularly pointed out in the followingclaims.

Figure 1 is a top plan view, centrally broken out, of a sufficientportion of an automatic filling-replenishing loom to be understoodequipped with double filling-detecting instrumentalities and having oneform of my present invention applied thereto, the weft-hammer at theright-hand side being shown in position to prevent filling replenishmenteven if called for by detection of filling failure. Fig. 2 is atransverse sectional detail on the line 2 2, Fig. 1, looking toward theright, the parts being in a position corresponding to that shown in Fig.1; and Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the parts inposition to effect filling replenishment on the beat-up of the lay, theshuttle being in the proper shuttle-box.

The lay A having shuttle-boxes B B at opposite ends, thefilling-replenishing mechanism comprising a feeder F and a transferrer fto remove the filling carriers or bobbinsb one by one from the feeder tothe shuttle S, the controlling rod or rock-shaft 01, extending acrossthe loom and having rigidlyattached upturned arms d al fast thereon andcooperating, respectively, with the outer ends of the slides f 9 onwhich are mounted the filling detectors or forks f g, one at each sideof the loom, and the vibrators or weft-hammers M N, arranged tocooperate with the fork-tails when upon absence of filling either of theforks is not tilted to move the corresponding slide outward, and therebyturn the rock-shaft d in the direction of arrow 200, may be and are allsubstantially as in Patent No. 7 59,854, hereinbefore referred to,thevibrators or weft-hammers being given the same stroke by like andinterchangeable cams, but moving in opposite directions.

As the hammers have the same stroke, whichever fork by detection offilling failure causes the rock-shaft d to be turned will cause it toturn through the same angle, and such angular movement can be readilyarranged to change the operation of any suitable takeupinstrumentalityas, for instance, to arrest it-by means of an arm 03,(see Fig. 1,) fast on the rock-shaft and adapted to govern the operationof an instrumentality such as shown in United States Patent No. 7 27,014.

Referring to Fig. 2, the dog m operatively connected with thetransferrer in wellknown manner, is normally held in the positiontherein shown by connections between the dog and the controllingrock-shaft (Z. Said connections, as herein shown, include a yoke y ypivoted on the loom-frame at y and having a lug y, on which the arm (Zis held by the spring (i said arm being fast on the controllingrock-shaft, the branch y constituting a shuttle-feeler, while the branchrests against a lateral lug m on the dog. The parts are arranged tooperate in usual manner, rocking of the controlling rock-shaft d 'in thedirection of arrow 200 lifting the arm (Z and permitting the dog m tomove into operative position to be engaged by the hunter C on the lay ifthe shuttle is properly boxed, all substantially as in Patent No.628,228, hereinbefore referred to. If the shuttle projects part way outof the box B the shuttlefeeler g cannot complete its movement intooperative position, and the branch y then prevents the operativepositioning of the dog at.

In accordance with my present invention I have secured to theweft-hammer N a detent, shown as a rigid laterally-extended arm or rod80, (best seen in Fig. 1,) long enough to pass behind the shuttle-feeleror some part thereof, such as the lateral lug 81, as herein shown, andacross the path of movement of such lug and so arranged that when thewefthammer is back the feeler can move rearward into position to feelfor the shuttle. When the weft-hammer is forward or moving forward,however, the detent will engage the lug 81 on the shuttle-feeler andprevent it from moving into operative position even should therock-shaft d have been turned to permit it, and consequently the dog mwill be prevented from moving into its operative position, and nooperation of the replenishing mechanism will take place.

From the foregoing description, in connection with the drawings, theoperation will be readily understood, for if filling fails as theshuttle is moving to the box B, Fig. 1, the detector f will usuallydetect such failure, and the shaft d will be turned to permit the dog mto become set or operatively positioned on the next pick, as the hammerN will be moving back, and on such next pick when the shuttle enters thebox B the hunter C will engage the dog and effect filling replenishment,supposing the shuttle is properly positioned.

Should the filling fail when the shuttle is moving to the box B suchfailure will be detected by the fork g, its slide will be moved forwardto rock the rock-shaft d, as before, and the dog m will tend to becomeoperatively positioned on the next pick; but on that next pick theshuttle will have been thrown from the box B to box Bthe nonreplenishingbox. The weft-hammer N will,

however, be so far forward at that time that it will act through thedetent to arrest the rearward movement of the shuttle-feeler y as thelay heats up. This shuttle-feeler in turn holds back the dog, so that itcannot complete its movement to operative position, and hence noactuation of the replenishing some? mechanism can take place when theshuttleboX 13 is empty and will not take place until the fork f hasdetected filling failure.

The change in the operation of the take-up is effected each time therock-shaft d is turned, so that a thin place will not be made in thecloth. Thus the position of the weft-hammer at the replenishing side ofthe loom determines whether or not actuation of the replenishingmechanism can take place when called for by angular movement of thecontrolling rock-shaft cl, due to detection of filling failure by eitherdetecting instrumentality. If said weft-hammer is back at the time thedog and hunter would cooperate, filling replenishment can beaccomplished, because the shuttle must then be in the propershuttle-box; but if the said weft-hammer is forward or moving forwardcooperation of the dog and bunter is prevented, because the replenishingshuttlebox must then be empty and filling replenishment is prevented.

My invention is not restricted to the precise construction andarrangement herein shown and described, as the same may be varied indifferent particulars by those skilled in the art without departing fromthe spirit and scope of my invention, one particular embodiment whereofis herein shown and described.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is y 1 In a loom, filling-replenishing mechanism atone side thereof, a filling-detecting instrumentality at each side ofthe loom, means to control the time of operation of said mechanism,including a member tending to be operatively positioned when fillingfailure is detected by either instrumentality, and means operativeindependently of the shuttle to prevent such operative positioning ofsaid memher when the shuttle is at the non-replenishing side of theloom.

2. In aloom, filling-replenishing mechanism at one side thereof, afilling-detecting instrumentality at each side of the loom, means tocontrol the time of operation of said mechanism, including a membertending to be operatively positioned when filling failure is detected byeither instrumentality, and means governed by the detectinginstrumentality at the replenishing side of the loom to prevent suchoperative positioning of said member when the shuttle is at the oppositeside of the loom. V

3. In a loom, filling-replenishing mechanism at one side thereof, afilling-detector and its cooperating vibrator at each side of the loom,means to control the time of operation of said mechanism, including amember tending to move automatically into operative position upondetection of filling failure by either detector, and means governed byone of said vibrators to prevent such operative positioning of saidmember unless the shuttle is in the shuttle-hox at the replenishing sideof the loom.

at. In a loom, a lay provided witha hunter and having a shuttle-box ateach end, fillingreplenishing mechanism at one side of the loom, afilling-detecting instrumentality at each side of the loom, means tocontrol the time of operation of said mechanism, including a membertending to move automatically into the path of the hunter when fillingfailure is detected by either detecting instrumentality, and meansgoverned by or through one of said instrumentalities to prevent themovement of said member into the bunter-path when the replenishingshuttle-box is empty.

5. In aloom provided with filling-replenishing mechanism, a lay, meansto control the time of operation of said mechanism, including a memberon the lay and a member movable into position to cooperate therewith,two filling-detectors, means tending to effect cooperation of the saidmovable member and the member on the lay by or through detection offilling failure by either detector, and a device operative independentlyof the shuttle and the filling therein to counteract such tendency andthereby prevent the operation of the replenishing mechanism if theshuttle is not at the replenishing side of the loom.

6. In a loom provided with filling-replenishing mechanism, a layprovided with a shuttleboX at each end thereof, means to controlthe timeof operation of said mechanism, two filling detectors, connectionsbetween said controlling means and the detectors tending to effect theactuation of the replenishing mechanism by orthrough detection offilling failure by either detector, and a device operative independentlyof the shuttle and the filling therein to counteract such tendency andthereby prevent filling replenishment when the shuttle is in thenon-replenishing shuttle-box.

7. In aloom provided with filling-replenishing mechanism at one sidethereof, means to control the time of operation of said mechanism,including a normally-inoperative member, two filling-detectinginstrumentalities operating on alternate picks and both adapted topermit movement of said member into operative position upon detection offilling failure, and means governed by one of said instrumentalities toprevent such operative positioning of said member when the shuttle is atthe non-replenishing side of the loom.

8. In a loom, in combination, filling-replenishing mechanism,filling-detecting devices at opposite sides of the loom, a rod orrock-shaft extending across the loom and having in connection therewithmeans to effect the actuation of the filling-replenishing mechanism,operative connections between said rock-shaft and both detecting deviceswhereby the rockshaft is operated when either device detects fillingfailure, and means governed by one of said detecting devices to preventthe operation of said actuating means after operation of the rock-shaftunless the shuttle is at the replenishing side of the loom.

9. In a loom, a lay provided with shuttleboxes, two filling-detectingdevices located at opposite sides of the loom and adapted to change theoperation of a take-up instrumentality upon detection of fillingfailure, fillingreplenishing mechanism, means to control the time of itsoperation, including a member tending to move automatically into activeposition upon detecting action of either detecting device, and meansgoverned by or through one of said detecting devices to prevent theautomatic movement of said member into active position if the shuttle isnot in the replenishing shuttle-box.

10. In a loom, a lay provided with shuttleboxes and a bunter, twofilling-detecting instrumentalities located at opposite sides of theloom and adapted to change the operation of a take-up instrumentalityupon detection of filling failure, filling-replenishing mechanism, meansto control the time of its operation, including a dog tending to moveautomatically into position to cooperate with the bunter upon detectingaction of either of said detecting instrumentalities, and means governeddirectly and positively by one of said instrumentalities to prevent theautomatic movement of the dog into operative position if the shuttle isnot in the replenishing shuttle-box.

11. In a loom, in combination,filling-replenishing mechanism, a layhaving a bnnter and two shuttle-boxes thereon, two filling-detectorslocated at opposite sides of the loom, a weft-hammer to cooperate witheach upon detection of filling failure thereby, means to control thetime of operation of said mechanism, including a member adapted to moveautomatically in to position to cooperate with the bunter upon detectionof filling failure by either detector, and a detent on one of thewefthammers to prevent such operative positioning of the said member ifthe replenishing shuttle-box is empty.

12. In aloom, in combination,filling-replenishing mechanism, a layhaving a hunter and two shuttle-boxes thereon, a filling-detector and acooperating weft-hammer at each side of the loom, means to control thetime of operation of said mechanism, including a member movableautomatically into operative position with relation to the hunter upondetection of filling failure by either detector, a shuttle-feeler toprevent such positioning 'of said member when the shuttle is'improperlypositioned in the replenishing shuttle-box, and a detent on theweft-hammer adjacent the shuttle-feeler and adapted to cooperatetherewith at times, to prevent movement thereof into shuttle-feelingposition, and thereby to prevent operative positioning of the saidmember controlled thereby, when the shuttle is out of the replenishingshuttle-box.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALFRED E. STAFFORD.

Witnesses: GEORGE OTIS DRAPER, ERNEST W. Woon.

